Why Anthony Joshua made shock offer to leave Eddie Hearn as screenshot revealed
Anthony Joshua Rejects Shock Offer to Leave Eddie Hearn as Screenshot Reveals His Response
Anthony Joshua recently received an offer to leave Matchroom and join Zuffa Boxing, but he quickly rejected it. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed the details.
Conor Benn left Matchroom on February 20 and joined Zuffa Boxing, a new promotion backed by UFC president Dana White and funded partly by Saudi Arabia.
Reports say Benn signed a one-fight deal worth an eight-figure purse, believed to be around $15 million.
Last week, Hearn also made headlines when he signed reigning UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to the newly created Matchroom Talent Agency.
As chairman of the agency, Hearn plans to manage top athletes, build their brands, and guide their careers.
Eddie Hearn Reacts to Conor Benn’s Exit
Hearn admitted he felt “devastated” when Benn decided to leave Matchroom. Speaking to iFL TV, he said he exchanged several messages with the 29-year-old after learning about the decision.
“I just felt that everything we gave him — the loyalty and support — would be enough for us to talk it through and agree on a number,” Hearn said.
“But he didn’t really show interest in negotiating.”
Hearn described the decision as both surprising and painful.
“Very surprising. Very painful. But it’s another moment in life that you learn from,” he added.
Anthony Joshua Quickly Rejected Zuffa Approach
Losing Benn was a blow for Matchroom, but the situation could have been much worse if Anthony Joshua had also decided to leave.
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Hearn revealed that Zuffa Boxing approached Joshua with an offer.
However, Joshua immediately informed him and had no intention of leaving Matchroom.
“AJ got an approach a couple of weeks ago,” Hearn said.
“Do you know how quickly he sent me the screenshot? Seconds. He messaged me and said, ‘Let me know what you want to reply.’”
Hearn praised Joshua’s loyalty and their strong working relationship.
“We’re a team. Until the wheels come off, we’re a team,” Hearn said. “I’ve always got his back.”
Hearn Questions Zuffa Boxing’s Business Model
Hearn also raised concerns about Zuffa Boxing and comments made by Dana White during a recent press conference.
White suggested that Conor Benn earning a huge payday would benefit UFC fighters. Hearn disagreed.
“Dana White said in a press conference last night, ‘Conor Benn making all this money is great for UFC fighters.’ How?” Hearn asked.
He argued that many UFC fighters will struggle to understand that logic.
“Every UFC fighter will look at that and think, ‘This doesn’t make sense.’”
Hearn also dismissed the idea that Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh simply pays the bills.
“You can’t hide behind the fact that Turki is paying for it,” he said. “It’s still the same company.”
For now, Hearn says he prefers to watch events unfold quietly while he focuses on building his own projects.
“For the first time in my career, I’m working a bit in silence,” he explained. “I need to get this right.”
He believes the boxing world could see major developments soon.
“It’s going to be very interesting to see what unfolds over the next couple of months.”
